Puerto Villamil - General Info
Yachtgala is a local agent based in the Galapagos Islands for cruisers, we assist cruisers in all the services they required during their stay in Galapagos Islands with the most competitive prices.
We provide services such as obtaining entry permit to Galapagos waters, technical services, tours etc.
Contact Yachtgala on Ph: +593 98 157 0856 or cruisers@yachtgala.com.ec.
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CloseDescription:
Puerto Villamil can best be described as the “jewel of the Galapagos harbors”. The harbor is protected by a southern string of low islands and reefs and therefore is a more protected, calm anchorage.
A large island with only 1800 inhabitants, Isabela is connected to the island group by daily “fast” ferries to Santa Cruz.
Entrance Notes and Cautions:
The harbor is protected by a southern string of low islands and reefs. While there is a small boat entry through these islands, sailboats will need to round to the south and west of the group and enter through a buoyed channel. Entry is not easy as it is encumbered with reefs, so make sure you arrive with good light and keep a good lookout for reefs in the approaches to the anchorage.
Cruisers report the charted port and starboard buoys are in place but the yellow buoy near the entrance is not in place. Also deeper water than charted. If taking your dinghy to drop people at the pier, DO NOT cross the anchorage as it is full of rocks. Instead, go right around the outside as shown in this pic from SV Hawkeye.
See SV Hawkeye’s report for some more useful information:
Cruiser Highlights:
There is snorkeling off your boat with the highlight being the colony of Penguins that live here and visit your boat to feed, as well as hiking or biking to a tortoise preserve outside town, and to the “Wall of Tears”, about 9.6 kms (six miles) out along the “beach road”. Most of the tour sites on Isabela, however, are spread farther apart than on San Cristobal and Santa Cruz and are only accessible by boat.
Position:
00° 57.93’S, 90° 57.65’W (anchorage)
Last updated: February 2024
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Related to following destinations: Galapagos, Isabela, Puerto Villamil
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Hi
Good experiences on this island, friendly people v helpful. Visit ‘booby trap’ great atmosphere, brilliant food cold beer and the best wifi we found on the island. Run by Jim and marline from the U.S. nothing is too much trouble
Andy
Sent from my iPhone
Reported by Karsten Staffeldt:
A Danish yacht just arrived Villamil without a prior Autographo and requested a transit call. Had a clearance from Panama with next port Marquesas. Appointed
de Soto as an agent, granted a 20 days stay no problems but a very extensive inspection of the yacht, all equipment and stores/provisions on board. Also reported quite expensive – the total cost close to US$ 1000.
A new Port Captain was appointed in Puerto Villamil mid-March 2014, and to begin with, was interpreting the rules differently and not permitting boats without an Autographo to clear-in there. However, this has now been resolved and boats without an Autographo can once more clear-in at Isabela and be granted a one-island 20-day stay. See the main Galapagos formalities page for further information.